2004 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 799 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 223 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 145 people were injured and 6 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine coolingNov 9, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 11V539000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, buckle assemblyDec 15, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT A COMPONENT CALLED THE BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
IF THE SWITCH BECOMES UNSEATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAY MISTAKE THE REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT FOR AN UNBELTED ADULT OCCUPANT, AND MAY NOT SUPPRESS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (SSC 40M) BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987..
Campaign 04V595000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowJul 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.
IF THIS OCCURS, THE CSA MAY NOT DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CSAS AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 04V346000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
799 reports, newest first.
Steering, Equipment, Jan 10, 2005, crash
CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHEN TRAVELLING 65-70 MPH, LEADING TO HITTING A BRIDGE WALL AND GOING DOWN HILL AFTER THAT.SUSPENSION AND STEERING HEAVILY DAMAGED, ALSO DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF CAR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 4 YEARS NOW AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I SAW A CAR BEHAVE SO STRANGELY. SINCE TOYOTA CAMRY HAS SO MANY COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS SAYING THAT THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT, I AM THINKING IF THE CAR WAS TAMPERED WITH BEFORE SALE, CAUSING IT TO PULL TO THE RIGHT INSTEAD OF LEFT TO KEEP THE COMPLAINTS AT BAY.. ALSO WHILE DRIVING FOR THE 4 MONTHS THAT I HAD THE CAR I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WOULD TURN TO THE RIGHT WHEN EVER I BRAKED(I SHOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS AT THAT VERY MOMENT) UNFORTUNATE THAT I AM DOING THIS AFTER BEEN AN HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. *AK
Seats, Jan 6, 2005
THE HEAD RESTRAINTS TAKE 50% OF THE REARVIEW. THIS MAKES THE ABILITY TO SEE VEHICLES DIFFICULT WHEN IN REVERSE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK
Tires, Jan 5, 2005, crash
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN WHEN IT HYDROPLANED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING TRACTION EASILY. *SC AS A RESULT WHEN THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, THE CONSUMER STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Jan 3, 2005
WHILE DRIVING BRAKES AND/OR STEERING WAS OVER RIDING HIS JUDGMENT. VEHICLE STARTED THE PULL TO THE RIGHT CONSUMER HAD A HARD TIME TRYING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN LINE. *AK....WHILE DRIVING ON DRY FLAT ROAD ABOUT 70 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER TRIED TO CORRECT BACK STRAIGHT BUT STEERING DID NOT RESPOND. TURNED HARDER AND TO LEFTAND CAR STARTED LEF TOFF THE ROAD. TRIED TO CORRECT BACK RIGHT LIGHTLY AND STEERING DID NOT RESPOND. TURNE DHARDER RIGHT AND CAR WENT HARD RIGHT ALMOST OFF THE ROAD. CONSUME RHIT THE BRAKES TO KEEP FROM LEAVING THE ROAD. ALSO, VEHICLE HAS BAD VIBRATION A THIGHWAY SPEEDS FROM TIRES. *AK
Suspension, Jan 3, 2005
CAR CONTINUOUSLY PULLS TO THE LIFT. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO WANT TO TURN ACCROSS THE CENTER LINE INTO THE FACE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TOYOTA MOTORS AND TOYOTA SERVICE KEEPS STAGGERING THE TIRE PRESSURE (2 1/2 POUNDS LESS ON ONE SIDE OF THE CAR THEN THE OTHER). THIS HAS ME VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 30, 2004, crash
VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES BEFORE STOPPING WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, AND UPON PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. HOWEVER, THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 29, 2004, crash
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB....WHILE EXITING A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, REMOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR TO COAST INTO EXIT, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED 70-75 MPH. WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE BY APPLYING BRAKES. ALSO, DEALER REPAIRED FRONT BUMPER. *AK
Power train, Dec 28, 2004
WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WILL HESITATE FOR A SECOND OR TWO. AT THE SAME TIME THE WHOLE DRIVE TRAIN WILL SHUDDER. THE HESITATION WILL HAPPEN JUST AS I PULL INTO TRAFFIC FROM A SIDE ROAD. I HAVE HAD THE CAR AT TOYOTA SERVICE THREE TIMES, AND ALL THEY HAVE DONE IS TO CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO LEAK OIL. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 21, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE ABS FAILED. THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE ABS DID NOT KICK IN WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE. *AK *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Dec 11, 2004, crash
APPROACHING INTERSECTION THE STOP LIGHT CHANGED AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOORBOARD, BUT DID NOT STOP VEHICLE BEFORE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. SPEED AT IMPACT WAS APPROX. 20 MPH AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. JUST RECENTLY HAD VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SOFT BRAKE PEDAL CHECKED, AND WAS TOLD OF OTHER COMPLAINTS CONCERNING SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 9, 2004
MANUFACTURER DEFECT - INSIDE CABIN HOOD RELEASE LATCH NOT ATTACHED TO HOOD RELEASE MECHANISM. O RESOLVE THE ISSUE, THE DEALER ATTACHED NEW CABLE TO ALLOW FOR OPENING HOOD WITHOUT USING SPECIAL TOOLS. DEALER ALSO REPLACED WEAK/DEFECTIVE BATTERY.*AK
Seat belts, Dec 9, 2004
DEFECT - SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH. DEFECTIVE SEATBELT ASSEMBLY WAS SPECIAL ORDERED AND REPLACED BY DEALER. *AK
Electronic stability control, Dec 7, 2004
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SWAYED TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TIRES WERE ROTATED, AND ALIGNMENT DONE. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS STILL SWAYING TO THE LEFT. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 7, 2004
I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ON IH-35 IN AUSTIN DUE TO AN ACCIDENT AHEAD. I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE TO AN EXIT LANE AND AFTER MOVING TO THAT LANE, NOTICED A VEHICLE COMING TOWARD ME AT HIGH SPEED. MY WAY WAS CLEAR TO ACCELERATE AND I DID SO, PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR ABOUT 1/2 THE WAY DOWN. NOTHING HAPPENED AND I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE REMAINDER TO THE FLOOR. AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE FINALLY ACCELERATED. THREE DAYS LATER, ON DEC. 7, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. AFTER EXAMINING THE CAR, THE DEALER CALLED TO EXPLAIN THAT THEY HAD CHECKED THE CAR OVER AND EVERTHING WAS FINE. HE FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THE 2004 CAMRY WAS EQUIPPED WITH A "DRIVE-BY-WIRE" ACCELERATOR. NO ONE WAS INJURED, NO DAMAGE WAS DONE, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS CAR WILL NOT RESPOND QUICKLY IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. NOR DO I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ISOLATED SITUATION. WE HAD DRIVEN A DEMONSTRATOR, A 4 CYLINDER CAMRY, ABOUT SIX MONTHS BEFORE WE PURCHASED OURS. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND PRESSED HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET IT TO MOVE UP AN ENTRANCE RAMP AND IT ALSO DID NOT RESPOND. AT THAT TIME, I DIDN'T PLACE ANY SIGNIFICANCE TO THE CAR NOT RESPONDING, THINKING MY WIFE WASN'T ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE A QUICKLY AS SHE INSISTED. *AK
Tires, Dec 6, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND CHANGED THE TIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. GOODYEAR 205/65R15.*AK
Tires, Dec 5, 2004
TEAR IN SIDEWALL OF BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TIRE. *AK
Steering, Suspension, Nov 30, 2004
WHEN DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT/RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. *JB THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED SIX TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. TWO SETS OF TIRES HAD BEEN WORN OUT. THE TIRES WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. *SC
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Nov 30, 2004, fire
THE CONSUMER STATED ON OCTOBER 17, 2004, AFTER BEING OUT OF THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 HOURS, THE VEHICLE BURNED TO ASHES. THE FIREMEN SEEMED TO THINK THE PROBLEM WAS THE AIR FUEL FLOW AND OR ELECTRICAL. CONSUMER JUST GOT THE VEHICLE. IT WAS LOCKED SO NO ONE COULD HAVE DONE THIS. *AK THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND A PEDESTRIAN YELLED ABOUT THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE BURNT TO ASHES, TOTALING THE VEHICLE. *SC
Electrical system, Nov 23, 2004, fire
MY CAR WAS LOCKED & PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-1/2 HR WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE CAR WAS TOTALED, 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Nov 22, 2004
THE SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL TO CLOSE RESULT IN SOMETIMES PUSHING BOTH PEDALS AT ONCE. *BF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS 4 3/4 INCHES WIDE AND HE BOTTOM OF THE CONSUMERS SHOES WAS 4 1/2 INCHES WIDE. THE GAS PEDAL WAS OVER TO THE CENTER OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT HIS BOTTOM OR TWIST HIS FOOT INWARD AND PUSH DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE HIS KNEE WOULD NOT BEND SIDEWAY. *SC
Vehicle speed control, Nov 22, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Air bags, Nov 13, 2004
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OF OUR 2004 CAMRY REPEATEDLY DISENGAGES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS RE-CALIBRATED THE COMPUTER FIVE TIMES NOW AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO TOYOTA BUT THEIR ENGINEERS HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX IT. THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE ANY PARTS, SAYING THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY PARTS THAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM AND THEY'D JUST BE "THROWING PARTS" AT IT. THEY ALSO CLAIM THE LEMON LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT REPLACING PARTS BUT SIMPLY RE-CALIBRATING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO PUT IN HERE FOR INCIDENT DATE BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY. I WILL USE THE LAST ONE BELOW, BUT THIS IS A REPAIR WE'VE HAD TO SEEK AGAIN FIVE TIMES. THE ONLY REASON WE HAVE NOT HAD TO SEEK IT MORE THAN THAT IS THAT NORMALLY MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR ALONE AND RARELY HAS A PASSENGER. THE AIRBAG ONLY DISENGAGES WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER. IT APPEARS THERE MAY BE SOME CONNECTION BETWEEN SEATBELT USE AND PUTTING CAR IN OR OUT OF GEAR. THIS LAST TIME IT WENT OUT WE WERE STUCK IN TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. AT ONE POINT THE PASSENGER RELEASED THE SEATBELT. WE WERE TAKING THE CAR IN AND OUT OF GEAR EVERY 5-10 MINUTES TO MOVE JUST A FEW YARDS. ANOTHER TIME THE AIRBAG DISENGAGED WAS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR. WE HAD PULLED INTO A REST AREA. I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND GOT OUT. MY WIFE LATER MOVED THE CAR (DRIVING) AND WAS WAITING FOR ME TO GET BACK IN WITH THE CAR RUNNING, IN GEAR. WHEN I GOT BACK IN, SHORTLY THEREAFTER WE NOTICED THE AIRBAG DISENGAGE LIGHT CAME ON. *JB
Steering, Nov 12, 2004
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. EVEN WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BLIND SPOT. CONSUMER HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT A RECALL. *AK
Power train, Equipment, Nov 12, 2004
V6 ENGINE, 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION</A>'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A>'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A>'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A>. VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED FOLLOWING A STOP. APPEARS TO HAPPEN AFTER A QUICK ROLLING STOP AND WHEN THE <A TRUE;">AIR CONDITIONER</A> HAVING TO WORK. CAR IS UNPREDICTABLE, IT WILL START MOVING AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF THROTTLE HESITATION. *JB CAR ALSO HUNTS FOR GEARS AT SLOWER SPEEDS CAUSING UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE AS THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH ALL THE V6 CAMRY'S WHICH THE DEALER COULD NOT FIX. I WAS ASKED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR FURTHER TESTING, WHICH I DID, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE VEHICLE. *JB THE VEHICLE JERKED THE CONSUMER AROUND AS GEARS WHERE SHIFTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEARCHES FOR THE RIGHT GEAR WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. *TC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Nov 12, 2004
WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE HESITATED THEN SURGED FORWARD WITH AGGRESSIVE MEANS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR RESPONSE IS VERY POOR AND ERRATIC. THE PEDAL HAS 1.5 TO 2 INCHES OF TRAVEL WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR TO DISCOVER BOTH VEHICLES HAD THE SAME ISSUE. *TC